 |
| Only see-through bags allowed in the Therme, but it holds everything I need plus my purse plus a shawl in case it is a bit nippy - hasn't happened yet |
I am slowly recovering from the shock of having my hotel
turned into a holiday home for the rich.
It is very hot right now, about 30C,
and I am not doing much, except read the papers and a bit of French literature,
like Oncle Picsou.
Yesterday I had a most amazing experience in Les Grands
Thermes! I had completed all my
treatments and went to the great central fountain to get some water to drink –
this is the last stage of the daily treatment.
But it was some time before I could get my drink of the healing font,
because, believe it or not, a bird had pipped me at the post!
Occasionally small birds, some sort of sparrow I think, get
lost inside the great building that is the Therme. They fly around under its huge dome, look for
crumbs at the sitting out area, and try to build nests in the potted plants. The central fountain consists of a centre
piece, sort of like a small hill, which is edged by wash basins. Each basin has a faucet whence water pours
into the basin. The curistes hold their
cups under the faucets to obtain their medicinal tipple.
On this occasion I had almost reached the basin when a bird
dived from beneath the dome, landed on the faucet, and tried to drink from
it. When that didn’t work out, he hopped
into the basin and drank from the little puddle that had collected at the bottom. The bird spent several minutes drinking and
bathing and generally hopping about, while a queue of curistes was forming, all
patiently awaiting their turn. Since I
was at the front of the queue I had the best view!
Eventually the bird finished its ablutions, shook out its
feathers, nodded in our direction, and flew high into the air, letting out a
trill as it rose up upwards towards the dome.
No one had a camera, of course, we are all serious curistes and have our
minds focussed on getting better – as did the bird, I suppose. The supervisor swore this had never happened
before – perhaps I should feel specially blessed? Later that day I found 10 Eurocents
underneath a bench, the largest coin I have ever found in La Bourboule, I
think, so maybe I had an especially lucky day.
I took a few photos of the paraphernalia of the cure, so you
can get a better picture of what is involved – also I was too exhausted by the
heat to venture out today!
 |
| Strictly only flip-flops inside the treatment rooms! |
 |
| This is the funnel thing you stick your face into to breathe the hot water vapours and gas |
 |
| This little baby goes up your nostril - the other end is stuck into a hose |
 |
| The cup from which to drink the healing waters, and the receptacle that holds the cup and the nose irrigator |
